Abernathy worked at the sheriff's office for the past 13 years, most recently as a Burglary and Armed Robbery detective. He also worked in the parish prison and uniform patrol.

Hicks said deputies were told yesterday that Abernathy beat his live-in girlfriend during an incident in December when he had been drinking. Detectives found several bruises on the victim's body which corroborated her statements.

Abernathy was fired today, and will be booked into the parish prison this evening.